I Spent All My Money On Sox Tickets

Dearest H,

What are some unique ways for a poor student/starving artist/fired I-banker to enjoy the big city without breaking the bank?

Sincerely,
Bored in Boston

Bored,

I've got ideas that you can do in Boston this weekend, for the next few months when the weather is cold, and then an idea for when the weather finally gets nice (which, as you know, is about mid-May up there...)

This Weekend:  

The Oscars are on Sunday!  Sunday night you could definitely host an Oscar party with your friends, complete with games, trivia, etc.  All you need is your imagination.  If you ask your friends to bring snacks, you are off the hook for food too...

To get ready for the celebration, catch a matinee or two on Saturday of the "Best Picture" nominees you've been dying to see. 

Another option for this weekend that's totally free?  Head down to Filene's Basement first thing Saturday morning (before 8 am) to watch the Running of the Brides.  Thousands of brides ripping dresses from nemeses' arms to find a good deal makes great free entertainment for you. (Check out a YouTube clip of the madness.)

While You Wait for Winter to Leave:

Boston has some great art, and while the museums are not free (like here in lovely DC), they do offer student discounts to help save you a few bucks.

The MFA (Museum of Fine Arts, for those that need a translation) is a must-see for any Beantown resident, but if you go on the weekend, it's way too crowded.  Skip it in favor of the intimate Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum across the street.  $5 gets a college student admission to the museum and the chance to see one of my favorite Sargent paintings, El Jaleo:

Sargent's El Jaleo, 1880

Another great arts option is the newly opened Shepard Fairey exhibition at the ICA.  California native Fairey is a well-established and much-controversial contemporary street artist, yet most hadn't heard his name before his iconic Obama "HOPE" painting.  See some of his work before the Obama painting, on display until August 16th. 

When the Sun Finally Comes Out:

One of my favorite things to do when I lived in Boston was leave Boston.  Borrow or rent a car or grab a bike and take a day trip, or even a half-day trip, to Concord, Mass.   The drive up is stunning (it makes a great leaf-peeping path in the fall), and the town itself is fabulously quaint.  There is a lot of history there, so follow the signs marking historic sites.  There are also some great shops and cafes right in Concord, great options for brunch, a lazy lunch, or some ice cream. And, if you want to shell out an extra $5, you can channel your inner Thoreau and check out Walden Pond.

Don't want to escape downtown?  Pack a picnic, grab some friends, get a book at the library, and head down to the Charles River or Boston Common to take in some sun.  $10 will go a long way at the grocery store for picnic-able snacks:  a baguette, some spread, and grapes are an instant hit. 

Need some more ideas?  Check out the Website for local lifestyle magazine Boston Magazine, which regularly updates events and restaurant guides, including thier Winter Survival Guide, which is right up your alley!

How do you like them apples?

H*

Hey Boston, what do you locals like to do for fun?  Leave a comment.

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